December 12, 2021: SOAP #4392:  Hebrews 5-8

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:16 one [Jesus] who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life….
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

OBSERVATION:  The sinless Jesus died.  His physical body was placed in the tomb.  But the “indestructible life” of Jesus was/is eternal life.  His priesthood continued through death and the tomb.  It is a permanent priesthood.  Therefore, today, He is able to personally administer the forgiveness He purchased for us on the cross.  He personally provides access to the Father and talks to the Father for us! 

APPLICATION:  There is no one I would rather have as my intercessor!  There is no one who knows me better than Jesus!  There is no one who has done more for me than Jesus!  I can have confidence that He will represent me perfectly! 

There is no one I would rather have as my intercessor!  There is no one who knows the Father better than Jesus.  There is no one who has done more for the Father than Jesus.  At the Father’s direction, Jesus came to be born as a created man and die to bring the Father a large family of sons in the image of Jesus!  If there is anyone to whom the Father will listen, it is Jesus! 

PRAYER:  Lord, through you, I have complete salvation.  Through you, I have access to the Father!  With a heart of great appreciation, may my life honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 11, 2021: SOAP #4391:  Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:1 In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

OBSERVATION: Almost every week, my wife, Sharon hosts a 9-year-old girl in our home.  She “helps” Sharon bake cookies, cook, sew doll clothes, play games, etc.  And through everything she does, she talks, and talks, and talks.  Words just come spilling out of her. 

Throughout the scriptures, we find a God who talks.  Words just come spilling out of Him.  God spoke in so “many and various ways” a question arises in my mind.  In the times and years when God was silent, was He not speaking, OR was no one listening?  

God still speaks in “many and various ways.”    God still speaks through the Old Testament prophets.  But, oh, how clearly God speaks through His Son!  He is the Living Word.  He shouted the Love of God from an old wooden cross!  

When Christ ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to be with each believer as Jesus had been with the disciples.  The Holy Spirit walks with us and talks with us as Jesus did with His disciples. 

APPLICATION:  The Holy Sprit has so “many and various ways” to speak to us.  He speaks to me through the word.  He speaks to me through children, through friends, through people exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  He speaks to me through creation, through preachers and teachers, and many more ways. 

If your God is not speaking to you, you are either not listening or you have the wrong god!   Maybe sin has plugged your ears.  It may be time to confess and ask forgiveness.  It may be time to commit to following through with what He says.  May you come to enjoy His fellowship as He enjoys yours.   

PRAYER:  Lord, if I am not going to do what you say, then you really have no reason to speak to me.  May you see that I value your words to me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 10, 2021: SOAP #4390:  2Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

OBSERVATION: What a powerful verse for every believer.  The scripture is useful in teaching us, showing us where we are wrong, showing us how to do things right and helping us grow in righteousness.  As special as that is, this passage shows that God has even more in mind.  He wants us ready to do something.  He wants us to be useful in His kingdom.  The scripture works in us to make us useful-useful to God and to others.  Life is too short to waste our time here.  As long as God has us here, He has something for us to do.

APPLICATION:  By God’s word I am equipped for every good work that comes my way as His servant.  When I refuse to work or serve in the body of Christ, I am not useful to the Kingdom.  I am wasting what God has given me.  I am not living up to the potential God has placed in me.  Simply put, I am not very Christ-like.  Jesus “went around doing good … ” Acts 10:38. 

Note: consider the above verses along with 2Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” The scriptures are the equipment I need; the Holy Spirit is the empowerment I need.   

PRAYER:  Lord, it is your will that I be useful in your kingdom; so, it is your will that I be equipped and empowered.  As I study the scriptures, empower me with your Holy Spirit.  Use me for fruitful ministry.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 09, 2021: SOAP #4389:  1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

OBSERVATION: The Bible has much to say about money.  To those who lack enough money for their needs, the Bible tells them to trust God, not man!  To those who have sufficient and abundant money, the Bible tells them to trust God, not money!   

Money provides those who have abundance the opportunity to do good deeds, the opportunity to be generous, and the opportunity to share with those in need. They need to be listening to God as to how they share their money. 

Being generous and using money to minister to others brings glory to God and results in a firm foundation and treasures in the “coming age.” 

APPLICATION:  Money counselors can advise me on using money to get more money.  They can advise me to prepare for the future when I will be old and maybe become sick.  They can help me plan on using money until I die and how to leave it all behind.  They can advise me on planning for continued good that can be accomplished by my money when I am no longer here.  But they cannot tell me how to take it with me. 

The Bible does not tell me how I can take my money with me, but it clearly tells me how I can send it ahead!  Doing good, being rich in good deeds, being generous and willing to share are ways for me to lay up heavenly treasure.  In this, I can wisely prepare for the future!   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, direct me into using the money you have provided for me.  May my spending habits bring joy to your heart.  May my faithfulness in the money I have cause you to trust me with even more.  Amen.

Pastor Leon       
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 08, 2021: SOAP #4388:  1Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION: What does God consider important?  God considered Paul faithful.  Faithfulness is far more important than ability.  Ability has to do with skill; faithfulness has to do with character.   Ability is useless without faithfulness.  Someone may have great ability, but if they are not faithful, their ability cannot be depended on.  Faithfulness makes ability available.  God could count on Paul to be where needed and to represent Him truthfully.

APPLICATION:  How God sees me is more important than how people see me.  People may consider my abilities, but God considers my faithfulness.  He has proved many times that His abilities can easily fill in my weaknesses.  However, faithfulness is different.  Lack of faithfulness on my part removes the opportunity for me to use my abilities and for Him to use His abilities through me.

There may be times when I see a task as small and not very important.  I push it aside and leave it for someone else to do.  All the time I am professing that I will be faithful in the big things.  But the size of the task makes no difference in faithfulness.  Faithfulness in that which is little prepares me for faithfulness in that which is large.  And who am I to set importance?  The small thing may have much more importance in God’s kingdom than the thing I consider to be large. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, when I am faithful, I am like you.  I count on your faithfulness.  I want you to be able to count on my faithfulness.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 07, 2021: SOAP #4387:  Colossians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

OBSERVATION: The remainder of the third chapter and the first six verses of the fourth chapter contain many short instructional directives on how to live our lives.  They are all based on “Since then, you have been raised with Christ…”   The truth of our position in Christ makes a difference—a big difference!  

The first directive has to do with how we think.  Since Christ dwells inside, and our thoughts are inside…it stands to reason that the first and greatest change found in a new believer’s life has to do with how they think!  All the other directives begin in our thoughts.  All the action things we do, begin in our thoughts. 

APPLICATION:  I am to direct my thoughts according to heaven’s perspective.  I am to take charge of my thoughts.  My thoughts are not to rule my emotions and feelings, I am to control my thoughts.  I am not a mind; I have a mind.  I am to use it to direct my emotions, my actions, my life according to the will of God. 

By reading, or hearing, God’s word; by meditating on God’s word, I train my mind to see life as God sees it. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me train my mind to see things as Jesus sees them.  Then help me respond as Jesus would respondh.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 06, 2021: SOAP #4386:  Philippians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

OBSERVATION: Paul had learned to trust the Lord through times of trouble and lack, but it was good that the believers in Philippi sent finances to help. 

It was good for Paul because it met his need.  It was good for those in Philippi because God would reward them. 

Paul was not begging them to send him money; he was thanking them for what they had previously sent!  They had met Paul’s need from their limited resources; now God would meet their need according to His unlimited resources! (Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.)

APPLICATION:  To be true to the content and intent of this passage, I should not use this verse to convince others to send money to my need.  I should apply this verse to me!  If I meet the needs of others from my resources, God will meet my needs from His resources, from “His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!!!”

When I have a need, I should pray for an opportunity to use the little I have to bless someone else.  Then I can look to God for Him to meet my need. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are an amazing giver!  You give again and again.  You gave your Son to pay for my sins!  It pleases you when I become a giver too.  Sometimes you direct your giving through me.  It is a special blessing to be a part of your giving.  You take the little I give and make a blessing to those in need AND a blessing to me!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 05, 2021: SOAP #4385:  Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. …
52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them. …
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
55 In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law.

OBSERVATION: The psalmist had good times and hard times.  His rejoicing can often be seen in the psalms he writes.  But we can also read about his cries for help when he is struggling or depressed. 

In the above verses he writes of a source of comfort during times of suffering: the scriptures, God’s promises, God’s laws. 

APPLICATION:  I have personally noticed how a personal, current knowledge of God’s word gives comfort and inner strength to those enduring hardship and suffering.   I have also noticed how people with a shallow understanding of the scriptures lack confidence in God’s ability to see them through hard times.   

Taking God’s word into our lives must be a current priority.  If the Lord allows us to grow older, we may not be able to read, we may not be able to attend church or gather with other believers.  We must store up God’s word in our minds and hearts today. 

PRAYER:  Lord, in times of trouble, may I never be short of the comfort you have provide in your Word.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 04, 2021: SOAP #4384:  Ephesians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION: Although there are many references in the Old Testament to God reaching the Gentile, the Jews saw themselves as God’s people.  In God’s plan to populate heaven with people, He had to start somewhere.  In sending Jesus to die in payment for our sins, He could not send 25 or 30 Jesuses—only One.  He could only come through one family in one nation.  Jesus was sent to earth through the Jewish nation. 

Once Jesus ministry was complete, the Holy Spirit was given Who revealed that God’s plan had always been to give gentiles the same standing as Jews!  

Jews and Gentiles are members of the same body—the body of Christ.  We have the same Lord!  We have the same Holy Spirit.  We share in the same promises.  We share the same destination—heaven. 

APPLICATION:  Whether we live in an Asian or African country…whether we live in Europe or the Americas…whether we live in Australia or the islands of the sea…if we have confessed our sins and received His forgiveness…if we have received Jesus into our lives…then we are all members of the same body!   

We share the same life.  God lives in us. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, you prayed that we (the members of your body) would be one.  Holy Spirit, we need your help.  Work in us and through us in answer to Jesus’ prayer.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 03, 2021: SOAP #4383:  Romans 13-16

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

OBSERVATION:  The clothing we wear on the outside of our body is what people see.  Clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ would be affecting our speech and actions.  Clothed in Christ, people would see how Jesus talks and acts.  Our clothing greatly affects our testimony. 

APPLICATION:  Changing our outside conversation and actions starts with changing the inside, where we think.  We are not to let our minds control us by meditating on whatever comes to our attention; we are to control our mind; we are to obey God with how we think. 

If I allow my mind to follow the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and/or the pride of life, (IJohn 2) before long, I will act out what I am thinking.  But if in obedience to the Lord and directed by the Holy Spirit I think on whatsoever is true, pure, of good report. etc. (Philippians 4:8), the Holy Spirit will start weaving those qualitied into my life. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for my mind.  It allows me to be me.  It provides me opportunity to honor you in unique ways.  Holy Spirit, help me train and apply my thoughts to the glory of God.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!